SCIENCE FOR PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 61, 9 September 1941, Page 6

SCIENCE FOR PEACE

A highly-important movement for post-war reconstruction^ is the international conference to be held this month in London under the auspices of the British Association. The conference will discuss "Science and World Order," and its object is to emphasise and demonstrate the common purposes of science in ensuring a post-war order in which the maximum benefits of science will be secured for all people. One of the principal speakers will be Mr. Morrison, Minister of Home Security, who will contribute a paper on the scientifically determined standard of human and social welfare as the governing factor in post-war policy. TKis suggests that the British Association, in line With its gradually developed policy of recent years, is interesting itself, not solely in the achievements and discoveries of pure science, but in the application of the knowledge to human welfare. At one time the complaint was made that the work of science, great and good in itself, was being lost to mankind, and, indeed, turned against humanity, because the practical use of discoveries had a destructive trend, rather than constructive. " This was not the fault of the scientists but of those who gave to new knowledge its practical application. While a case can be made superficially in support of this charge, it is not wholly true. There has been tremendous development of weapons of warfare and destruction, but side by side with this there has been wonderful progress in the arts of peaceful production. The full harvest of this progress has not been gathered, because men have had to turn from it to take up arms in defence of the principles of freedom without which material benefits

would be worthless. The use of aircraft for commerce and communications has had to be checked by the demand for war machines. But when the war is ended there will be great powers and resources again available for construction, and it is by giving timely thought to the system of use that full employment of these powers can be ensured, with full value to , humanity. An all-round development is essential, meaning one which will not stop at production based upon science, but will carry study and practice on to the work of distribution till ultimate and beneficial use is achieved. Nor must the lessons emphasised from many pulpits on the day of intercession be forgotten. * The spiritual and moral factors that belong to peace are even more important than the material. Good will, unselfishness, and true humanity can produce from a moderate material standard the highest standard of welfare. With these qualities lacking the greatest material progress may be consumed in envy, selfishness, and war.*